Top stopper Fran Kitching is Crystal Palace Women's Player of the Year

The top stopper kept seven clean sheets and made several vital saves to help the Eagles to a top-five finish in the Championship, the second tier of the women's domestic game.

The accolade was voted for by her Palace team-mates.

“I'm so proud,” said Fran. “I've been busy and I've had lots of saves to make but it's the first year the club has gone full time so we have done quite well to finish fifth.”

Fran, from Maltby, started out at Chelsea and had two years at Liverpool and two years at Sheffield United before moving down to Palace last year.

Kitching made 23 appearances in all competitions, producing a multitude of vital stops, including a Women’s Championship Save of the Season nomination for an outstanding double save against Lewes that was crucial to a 1-0 win.

Fran's penalty save and clean sheet in another tight victory, over Durham, saw her named FA Women's Championship Player of the Week and part of the FAWSL Full-Time Team of the Week.

“The penalty save against Durham was probably the moment of the season for myself,” added Fran.

“I've had a good season. I'm loving it.”

Palace are without a manager at the minute but Fran hopes to stay at the club to carry on the good work next term.

Teammate Issy Sibley said: “She's made us all very, very proud.”